This is a good pair of Civil War infantry captain’s shoulder straps showing just enough wear to indicate they saw service in the field. These are Smith Patent straps, using stamped gilt brass frames and rank insignia as a less expensive and more robust alternative to embroidered bullion. Patented by military goods dealer James S. Smith of New York on June 18, 1861, the rank insignia and borders were simply attached by short, bent over brass wires on their backs to a base with fabric having the correct branch of service color for the officer. Using stamped brass avoided the snagging and pulling of bullion strands or the jaceron wire edging of the embroidered versions, was cheaper to produce, and by Smith’s own advertising his straps could be more easily kept bright by simply polishing the brass if the gilt finish was worn off or muted.

The brass remains medium bright, showing wear and just slight oxidation. Most of the nap to the velvet centers is gone, leaving some darker areas, but underlying fabric, though showing the weave still had a lot of that color as well, showing rubbing., but no holes. The backs show some wear, some loose threads at two corners indicating they were on a uniform, but no holes. This is a nice pair of completely original Civil War captain’s shoulder straps that would have been worn on his frock coat or a fatigue blouse in the field.  [sr][ph:L]

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